1. Neoclassicism Literary style that prevailed throughout the Restoration (of the monarchy) and Enlightenment (also known as the Age of Reason)

2. Neoclassical Period Hundred–odd years, circa 1660-circa 1780 Hundred–odd years, circa 1660-circa 1780 Characterized by a profound faith in the powers of human reason and a devotion to clarity of thought, to harmony, proportion, and balance Characterized by a profound faith in the powers of human reason and a devotion to clarity of thought, to harmony, proportion, and balance More or less, John Dryden’s maturity to Samuel Johnson’s death More or less, John Dryden’s maturity to Samuel Johnson’s death Divided into three periods: Divided into three periods: The Restoration (1660-1700) The Restoration (1660-1700) The Augustan Age (1700-1750) The Augustan Age (1700-1750) The Age of Johnson (1750-1784) The Age of Johnson (1750-1784)

3. Neoclassical theory: Most writers were traditionalist with great respect for Classical authors, especially the Romans, who, they believed, had established and perfected the principle literary genres for all time Most writers were traditionalist with great respect for Classical authors, especially the Romans, who, they believed, had established and perfected the principle literary genres for all time Literature was art, in which excellence could only be achieved through long study Literature was art, in which excellence could only be achieved through long study Inclined to settle for the traditional and typical, but ready to accept the novel and particular, concerned with importance of invention and fancy and imagination Inclined to settle for the traditional and typical, but ready to accept the novel and particular, concerned with importance of invention and fancy and imagination

4. Neoclassical writers: Notable authors: Notable authors: Jonathan Swift Jonathan Swift Joseph Addison and Richard Steele Joseph Addison and Richard Steele Alexander Pope Alexander Pope Reason and judgment most admirable qualities and decorum essential Reason and judgment most admirable qualities and decorum essential Most desirable qualities: Most desirable qualities: Harmony Harmony Proportion Proportion Balance and Restraint Balance and Restraint Correctness Correctness Most evident in use of heroic couplet Most evident in use of heroic couplet Preservation of order, balance and correctness led to frequent use of satire as a corrective Preservation of order, balance and correctness led to frequent use of satire as a corrective

5. Neoclassical Beliefs and Ideals: Generated a definitive vision of man and mankind Generated a definitive vision of man and mankind Man and his activities regarded as the main subjects of poetry Man and his activities regarded as the main subjects of poetry Man, man in society, man in his social environment—what men possess in common; the general and representative characteristics of mankind Man, man in society, man in his social environment—what men possess in common; the general and representative characteristics of mankind General view of nature and mankind: a general vision of man’s position and function in the universe, his relationship to the natural order and his relationship with and to God General view of nature and mankind: a general vision of man’s position and function in the universe, his relationship to the natural order and his relationship with and to God

6. Form, Style, and Technique: Epigram: Greek for “inscription”. A short, witty statement in verse or prose which may be complimentary, satiric, or aphoristic. In verse occasionally takes the form of a couplet or quatrain Epigram: Greek for “inscription”. A short, witty statement in verse or prose which may be complimentary, satiric, or aphoristic. In verse occasionally takes the form of a couplet or quatrain Heroic couplet: Throughout 18 th century was most favored verse form. Iambic pentameter lines rhymed in pairs Heroic couplet: Throughout 18 th century was most favored verse form. Iambic pentameter lines rhymed in pairs